theloniusfleabag

Dear BHS, Your two cents oughta be worth a million bucks. I couldn't agree more. While we're at it, society itself is suffering from the same malaise...self-gratification has won out over personal responsibility.

Dear Yaro, They are not mutually exclusive, really. It really depends, mind you, on which definition of 'communism' you use. Most people do immediately think of the 'Marxism-Bastardized-By-Lenin form' though, I'll have to admit. I personally have no problem with banning the likes of US rappers, especially if they glorify and encourage violence. Just as I would have no problem banning a radical Muslim Cleric preaching 'jihad' on the streets of Toronto.

Dear Yaro, I have to agree, any racial or gender 'quota system' is inherently discriminatory and does nothing to address the actual issues of equality or, for that matter, product quality.Glad to see they finally ditched this one policy, anyway. They apologized,even.

Dear sharkman, From your link, Just a threat with no specifics, no evidence and no result. Could these Iraqi sources been the office of Chalabi, who had previously made false claims against Iraq re:WMDs?

Dear BHS, I realize Black Dog has already posted one link about this, but here is another 'official' source...(the Pentagon)from... http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/...51122-voa02.htm So, in effect Iraq has asked, and have been told by the US... "No, we will decide, and further, what you may want will have no bearing on what we decide to do". (Note that this already discounts whatever may happen in the December elections)

Dear Canuck E Stan, This one I would change to: -make sure that no gov't corruption (such as Adscam) is ever found out about again. (did I say 'found out'? I meant 'allowed'.)

Dear moderateamericain, Happy Thanksgiving to you. Interestingly, Thanksgiving Day in the US was moved in 1938 to extend Christmas shopping hours. From "The People's Chronology", By James Trager (1992) pg 859

Dear Toro, While it is a pretty safe bet to go with the spectrum of possibility (which is nearly infinite), that doesn't mean it has the ability to 'cross that finish line' without the granted grace of time.

Dear BHS, You are more optimistic than I. I'll bet that Quebec (should cessesion occur) would walk away paying next to nothing. Any individual debt could be consolidated as a 'national debt', owed to another country, and then we'd only see it in trade, etc (really never). A country can't collect debts from individuals in another country without some sort of consent/collusion of the 'host country'.Sparhawk states and it should be noted that the IMF (and the World Bank) are 'stooges' for the US Foreign Policy dept, and any deal struck with them is de facto striking a deal with the US, which they could do anyway. I somehow doubt, though that Quebecois will want to be the 51st state, even if it is just beholden monitarily.August1991, I actually did not write these two quotes.

Dear Sparhawk, You raise a very interesting point here. On the one hand, there might be created an impetus for 'western separation', where BC, AB and SK, together or individually, decide to leave or create their own 'non-Canada'. On the other hand, Canada would still 'be', just as someone who loses a limb doesn't become a new person, just their appearance and capabilities change.

Dear August1991, It seems that no matter how many times that "Non" might be voted, it will never be accepted as 'once and for all'. Yes I do live far, Calgary actually. You are right, my finger is not on the pulse of the Quebec peoples. Nor Newfoundland, for that matter, but I have visited almost every province. (all but NFLD, and no territories). I liked all the Canadians that I met. (your response to Sparhawk's question) I don't think you grasp the gravity of having a new country. Borders become actual, guarded and monitored (such as they are). Currency is not shared by gov'ts. (With the exception of a few powerless 'protectorates')Trade and, in this case, language barriers go up. If Quebec wants to import something from another country, they will have to negotiate what language the labels and instructions come in (Nowadays, mind you, they come in several). French only? English and French? It will be up to Quebec, just as what type of currency and reserve they will proclaim. To think otherwise would be like saying, "Dad, I decided to finally move out. Can I have your credit card?"

Dear BHS, I doubt it too. Both the Afghanistan and Iraqi 'gov'ts' woudn't last a week without US military presence, at least for now. The US is hoping to train a 'proxy army' to rule the country, as they (the US) wishes it to be, but in their stead. Haven't they read a single history book? If the US' current approach actually worked, we probably would all still be speaking Latin.

Dear moderateamericain, That is because you are trained to think differently. The battle clearly isn't over. As eureka states, there is no question, by those that have studied Bin Laden, that he does not consider his own welfare to be as important as the "Will of Allah" that he claims to be serving. Also, it is agreed by most, he is a very patient man. There are some that say 'he who acts with the greatest urgency is the one that is in danger, and he who has time to assess and plan has the upper hand'. (actually not some, just me)

Dear eureka, There is really two questions here. First, "would I willingly take the life of another human being"? Second, really a 'subsection' of one of the two answers, is "Under what circumstances?".I note well your use of the word 'murder', for that is what it would be, whatever rationale or justification I may think I had. It is a very dark question you ask, but I do believe that there are circumstances where I would feel justified in taking the life of another person, and it would have to be an extreme case for me to go from 'soldier' (that is, actively fighting for a cause) to 'executioner' (where the fighting was over, and I killed someone because I chose to). Still, yes, I can envision circumstances to that effect. Concentration camp guards in the Holocaust??? Some of them might have felt they had no choice, that they were just following orders...but, none of them could have been refused combat duty had they asked. In that light, some of them, I might have flayed. Most likely, though, I would have armed the freed prisoners, and have them make the decisions as to who merited mercy.

Dear Argus, I am friends with (or family of) 4 inter-racial couples, and only one, a cousin, is a female married to a black man. Really, really black, from Nairobi. Another male cousin married a girl from Trinidad, (they live in Toronto). With the other friends, I don't know the background. Regarding the question "Is race a principal cause of crime?", the answer is absolutely no. Age and gender are the principal factors, but are no more 'the cause' than race.

Dear shoop, Hardly, nor is GM in serious trouble. Their biggest worry is probably this...from: http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/Natio...rc=n112111A.xml and this... However, they still supply the US military with vehicles, as well as many other nation's armed forces. I have seen actions like this before, and usually mass layoffs and plant closures are followed (after a suitable amount of time) by massive hirings and plant re-openings. August1991, You amaze me with this. You are often derisive towards the 'left', saying things such as "The left doesn't understand even simple economics", etc. (to paraphrase) and yet you make a comment such as this. It is for the good of the free enterprise system, isn't it? How could you cast in in a bad light? (perhaps you aren't, and are just being pragmatic, but it didn't need to be said, unless it was a concern to you).

Dear August1991, Most multi-national business offices would pull out of Quebec, (as a some did last time when they thought the vote might be close) and divisive, inflammatory rhetoric would be flying left, right and centre. Those from Quebec that would wish to leave and immigrate to 'Canada' might find it extremely difficult, they may have no idea what such a move might do to property values and to investments, and there would be calls to pull the CDN dollar out, forcing Quebec to create it's own country from the ground up. While such a move would be difficult, it isn't impossible, just as they could switch to the US currency if they wanted. However, that would make Quebec's a 'black market' economy, and would play havoc with any legitimate economy. It is not the citizens who issue money, but the banks. There would have to be a "Banque du Quebec' , and their own mint, as the banks in Quebec might legally be required cease disbursement of, and to collect and destroy 'CDN scrip'. The worst thing about it all would be the uncertainty, which is the bane of business and investing. The consequences might be fatal to Quebec, but if not, would certainly be massively injurious.

Dear Sparhawk, I am an adpoted child (one of two out of seven kids) and I love my family. My parents are great (although my dad didn't remember me last time I went to visit...strokes, dementia etc.) and I am proud to have the family name. I do realize, though, that should I have children, I won't be spreading the family genes, just the name. Kind of kooky when I think about it. As Argus states, (I am not in agreement with the tone, just the facts) that honesty must be a part of acceptance. If someone's family tree is a stump, as it were, it is that which should be realized and accepted, and I feel it is somewhat dishonest to show it as something else. I am happy that the people who adopted me did so, and think that adoption is a wonderful thing. Now that I am older, and own a business (with my wife) we have made charitable donations (of services) to a Christian adoption group in Calgary. While I am not religous, I feel that what they do is a good thing, and feel it warranted my support. I personally would rather see organized religion spend money and effort on these ventures, rather than on new churches, etc.

I have to agree with cybercoma, Insane is the right term. The policies for ending discrimination, a while ago, meant taking down signs (and barriers) that said "Whites Only". It is hardly a step forward, nor does it indicate a positive change, to simply change the sign to "Non-Whites Only".

http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/Natio...rc=n112006A.xml As we all should, by now, be aware that a homosexual relationship cannot, by itself, be reproductive, is it entirely honest to show a 'family tree' that is based on homosexuality?I personally am pro-gay marriage, and have several friends that are gay, with one couple actually being married. One lesbian couple I know has a daughter, but I am pretty sure her lesbian mate isn't the father. (Unless she strapped on a turkey-baster, but even still, I'll bet it wasn't her sperm. I wonder how they can embrace the 'family tree' notion, if they only lik [sic] 'bush'.). However, be that as it may, I what I call to question is that while homosexuals can be in a family tree, they themselves cannot reproduce another tree.

Dear Leafless, I have to agree with kimmy. Man or woman-if they have unprotected sex with someone while knowing they are carrying a lethal virus...they must be punished. Preferably removed from the general populace as well, if they have no ability to cease or exhibit responsibility. It would be a sad day if everybody simply had to assume the worst about everyone, because everyone else took the attitude "It's your own fault". Surely there is some responsibility for everyone to use common sense. There should also br respponsibility for those that commit acts knowing that they will be harming others, especially with communicating a fatal disease.

Dear politika, I am merely letting people know that there are other sickos that have the same agenda as Whatcott, and that awareness is important. If you'll look again at my post, I highly doubt that this is the platform of, or affiliation of, the CPC. Interestingly, Pastor Phelps, who runs the 'godhatesfags.com' website, was in Calgary a couple of years ago (2 or 3) to protest against the 'Pride Parade', and they also 'protested' (or spread hate) at the funeral of Matthew Shepard (a fatality victim of 'gay bashing) and other homosexuals whose violent deaths made news. The problem is, most people vehemently against homosexuality are almost always very religious, but that doesn't mean all religious people are so extreme, and Whatsott's statements can certainly not be so easily equated with 'the right wing', even though they happen to be on the 'same team'.

Dear Army Guy, I am not saying the punishment wasn't warranted, just that it wasn't really 'legal', nor do I believe was there ever a precedent in the history of mankind for it. However, after reading Albert Speer's book, I am glad he didn't get the death penalty. He was pretty much the only one to take blame upon himself (for using slave labour) and was not linked to the Holocaust, though his actions did prolong the war. Not because he believed in the cause, mind you, but because he was a very efficient industrialist and architect. Again, no. Just illegal. I do agree with you, though, I might have easily done exactly the same, probably between bouts of throwing up.

Dera I Miss Trudeau, If you think that's bad, check this out.. http://www.godhatesfags.com/featured/20050...or-katrina.html I am not sure that you can link Whatcott to the CPC so easily, though. I am sure Whatcott thinks that the CPC isn't 'far-religiously right' enough.

Dear Army Guy, Thanks for the info, well done. BHS, While 'Willie Pete' isn't a 'banned weapon', since it's intended usage is not as a weapon, it can be used as such and the US has admitted doing so. from... http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/sys...unitions/wp.htm However, this information should go hand in hand with the official denial, from... http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/lib...27-fallujah.htm and also...